he claimed were offering his players "financial incentives'' to switch teams.

And he warned that unless Bermuda Football Association dealt with the matter, it could have a negative impact on the sport.

"At this time of the year you always hear about financial offers being made to players,'' said Hollis, "and I believe the time has come for the BFA to address the matter because sooner or later it's going to have an impact on all of Bermuda.'' Hollis, however, refused to name any of the players who had been approached or the clubs involved.

But he said he knew of several instances where Village players had been offered money.

The revelation comes at a time when traditionally much negotiating takes place behind the scenes as clubs attempt to beat the final transfer deadline at the end of this month.

A new three-year rule during which no player would have been allowed to switch clubs, was to have been introduced this year but was last week scrapped.

Of the alleged financial incentives, Hollis said: "We know it's happening.

Some of our players have had offers from certain clubs, but we've had to tell them that at the end of the day they will be the ones who have to make the decision.'' The payment of local soccer players has always been difficult to prove, but Hollis felt it was no "big secret'' and the policy was continuing.

He noted that BFA Director of Coaching Burkhard Ziese had quickly discovered that some players were being paid, although the sport in Bermuda remained technically for amateurs only.

Hollis pointed out that a Bermuda national or club team could be thrown out of an international amateur competition if it was discovered that members were being paid.

"I'm a little bit disappointed with the kind of manipulation that is occurring at some clubs, particularly since North Village is so engrossed in defending the rights of players such as our own Dwayne Adams, a situation which could in turn effect other clubs.'' Adams, the national team goalkeeper, was suspended by the BFA after Ziese failed to accept the player's explanation for not attending training sessions on a regular basis.

The North Village executive said that too much emphasis was being placed on winning and noted that this mentality was having an adverse affect on the game.

Hollis insisted the Village policy was to put the emphasis on constructive participation and fair play above all else, including winning.

"I heard one particular club brag about how many titles they have won, but I understand that even this club is attempting to get one of our younger players to join them.

"I think people have a different perception of what winning or playing is all about. We at North Village focus on our total programme, not just winning titles in the First Division.

"If there was anybody with any real right to brag about achievement it would be North Village. We've had teams finish high not just in the First Division but in all of the other divisions that exist in local soccer. But we don't brag about it.'' Hollis said that instead of trying to influence players to join them, clubs should concentrate on "building a good, sound youth programme similar to the one at North Village''.

"We never have had to solicit players to join us and this is because we have built a good junior programme over the years.

"I am getting a little teed off the more I hear about other clubs approaching our players.

"North Village do not pay players. We rest on our reputation and build our programme with the emphasis placed on community spirit at all times.''